Page 61 of Ruptured

“You right, Outlaw,” Digger said. “Ten beers or twenty not important when your announcement just shifted the entire fucking world.”

Val glanced between them. “What announcement might that be?”

“CJ.” Christopher might as well rip the band-aid off and reveal the news. “I ain’t lettin’ him join the club.”

Val’s eyes widened. “You’ll break his heart, Outlaw.”

“But save his fuckin’ sanity,” Christopher replied. “He been flounderin’ since his overdose. This latest shit not helpin’. If he can’t look at shit without his emotions interferin’, he can’t fuckin’ lead.”

“All your fucking mirrors broke, Outlaw?” Digger asked.

“Shut the fuck up,” Mortician warned his brother, then looked at Christopher. “Prez,” he said carefully. “You do remember all the times you fucking lost it?”

“You talking in past tense, Mort,” Digger said. “Motherfucker still lose it over hiswife.”

Untangling his hands, Christopher frowned. “What the fuck you said?”

“Now, Prez. I didn’t mean to call you a motherfucker but remember it don’t count since it is just us.”

“Ain’t givin’ a good fuck if you fuckin’ callin’ me an ass monkey. I ain’t liked your fuckin’ tone when you saidwife. Repeat it to me just how the fuck you said it.”

Horror washed over Digger’s face, and he gulped. “You misheard, Prez,” he said faintly. “I was talking fast.”

“Fuck him, Outlaw!” Val said. “Beat his ass another time. We got to talk about CJ—”

“Ain’t nothin’ to talk about—”

“The club won’t be the same without a Caldwell heading it,” Val said fiercely. “One of your sons.CJ.”

“What the fuck you want me to do?” Christopher roared. “I want it to be him, too. He can’t even fuckin’ focus on school like his ma want.”

Fuck, what the fuck hadhesaid? Megan didn’t understand the importance of CJ hanging around the club. Now,hewas claiming it as an excuse.

Torn and twisted inside, he gnashed his teeth together. Ifhehadn’t agreed with Megan and insisted CJ finish school, this would be a non-issue. His boy had been destined to lead the fucking club. Fuck school!

Maybe if Christopher hadn’t pushed CJ into football–sided with Meganafuckingain–he,they, wouldn’t be floundering. His club wouldn’t be fractured0. The members would take CJ seriously.

“At the club, CJ around a bunch of motherfuckers who just see him as my kid. I fuckin’ know I fuckin’ lose it over Megan. I can’t fuckin’ see straight if something wrong with my woman.”

Exactly the fucking problem. Andshesaw what the fuck she wanted to see. Usually, through an emotional lens instead of a logical one. Her coldness was an emotional response to shit she created in her motherfucking unnecessarily jealous fucking gorgeous head.

Scowling, he remembered to continue with the conversation. “Leadin’ the club about decisions. They not always pretty and they not always fuckin’ popular. You got to have the instinct and be stone fuckin’ cold. CJ not that. He good and kind. Fuck, Ryan might make a better president if that lil’ motherfucker trustworthy.”

Val’s eyes widened and he glanced away, shifted. Dropped his shoulders.

Christopher bared his teeth. “But you ain’t wantin’ him to lead, huh, Val? You know the sacrifice and the risk. Ryan justain’t fuckin’ realizin’ you steerin’ him to RC to protect him. You want your boys at the top of the food chain, just notthe top.”

“I’d never use CJ for position,” Val said faintly, guiltier than a motherfucker.

“Fuck you! I’d do the same if the situation was reversed. You ain’t hung around me for fuckin’ years without some of my ruthlessness rubbin’ off. Besides, Ryan and Devon came outyourcock. I’d fuckin’ kill you if you wasn’t tryin’ to jockey for position.”

Hooking his thumbs in his belt loops, Val cleared his throat. “I, uh, that, uh, suppose Ryan and Dev didn’t want to be nothin’ but regular members? You’d still kill me?”

Digger steepled his fingers and tipped his head down. “Uh, Pr-prez. You, uh, M-Meggie…she wouldn’t appreciate you killing Val for something so insignificant.”

“Exactly!” Val blew out a breath. “That’s true. Puff wouldn’t be happy either.”

“I might have to start killin’ motherfuckers ‘tilmyMegan come back. Fuckin’ up one of you motherfuckers’ll get her fuckin’ attention.”